In this series we’ll take a fresh look at resources and how they are used. We’ll go beyond natural resources like air and water to look at how efficiency in raw materials can boost the bottom line and help the environment. We’ll also examine the circular economy and design for reuse — with an eye toward honoring those resources we do have.

While changes at home can’t solve the many environmental crises we face today, they can sure help. Through this series, we’ll explore how initiatives like curbside compost pick-up, rebates on compost bins, and efficient appliances can help families reduce their impact without breaking the bank.

Despite decades -- centuries even -- of global efforts, slavery can still be found not just on the high seas, but around the world and throughout various supply chains. Through this series on forced labor, sponsored by C&A Foundation, we’ll explore many different types of bonded and forced labor and highlight industries where this practice is alive and well today.

In this series we examine how companies should respond to national controversy like police violence and the BLM movement to best support employees and how can companies work to improve equality by increasing diversity in their ranks directly.

Compost is often considered a panacea for the United States’ tremendous food waste problem. Indeed, composting is a much better option than putting spoiled food in a garbage can destined for a landfill.

In company’s efforts to make more sustainable products, a lot of attention has been paid to packaging, often going into a fair amount of technological acrobatics, as in Sunchips‘ initially ill-fated compostable bags or Dell’s bamboo and mushroom based product cushioning.

All well and good, but for other companies not able to invest in such far reaching initiatives, Dutch baby stroller company Joolz has created a simpler, and ultimately more memorable and delightful option: Its cardboard boxes can be turned into useful objects.

Much like simply maintained diesel engines, long getting hybrid-beating mileage, the simplicity of using an existing resource in a new way which will remain long after the initial purchase, is a smart move in many ways. It incurs no minimal cost to the company to modify their boxes, using existing technology. It doesn’t require reinventing the source material, which is commonly available. And it can serve as an enduring branding reminder, reinforcing its uniqueness in people’s minds.

What can your box be made into?

In Joolz’ case, “From a lampshade to a bird house and from a picture frame to a chair.” That includes all packaging, from their strollers to accessories.”

When your packaging becomes more then simply the carrier of product, to be tossed or recycled shortly after, it has the chance to become an enhancement to the consumer experience. How could your company do this too? Where else are you seeing packaging effectively living beyond the initial purchase in meaningful ways?

Paul Smith is a sustainable business innovator, the founder of GreenSmith Consulting, and has an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. He creates interest in, conversations about, and business for green (and greening) companies, via social media marketing. || ==> For more, see GreenSmithConsulting.com